Target



2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

T. WRENCH. TARGET. No. 597,795. Patented Jan. 25,1898.

Fig 4- mun/10 WITNESSES:

' (z i zw/aiaww W Y "K TORNEYJ ject from the face of the base B, asshown in parts.

each stem 1), which springs receive the i1n- UNITED STATES PAT NTUEEicE.

THOMAS WRENCH, OF METUOHEN, NEW JERSEY.

TARGET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 597,795, dated January25, 1898.

Application filed March 15, 1897- fierial No. 627,461. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom zit may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS WRENoH,a citizen of the United States, and aresident of Metuchen, county of Middlesex, and State of New Jersey, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Targets, of which thefollowing is a specification, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part thereof, in which similar letters and numeralsof reference indicate corresponding This invention relates to targets,and has for its object to provide a simple and improved electric targetwhich will automatically operate to instantly indicate the score at anydesired point away from the target proper.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is avertical sectional view of the indicatingmechanism. Fig. 2 is ahorizontal sectional view taken on the line 2 2,Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a face view of the target proper. Fig. 4. is a rearelevation of the base or backboard of the target proper. Fig. 5 is adetail transverse sectional view taken through the target proper. Fig. 6is a detail perspective view of one of the valved armatures comprised inthe indicating mech-. anism.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the target proper, whichcomprises a base or backboard B and a series of independently-movableannular rings or sections C, which are preferably of varying diametersand arranged one within the other, so that theycollectively form acomplete target-face.

The set of rings C are carried upon and pro Fig. 5, and they arepreferably, respectively, provided with a concaved or grooved face 0,which insures a more accurate and definite operation from the impact ofthe shot. These grooves may be of V shape, as shown, and preferablyextend the entire width of the face of each respective ring or sectionC.

Each independent ring or section C of the set collectively forming theface of the target is mounted upon a set of rearWardly-projectingcarrying arms or stems D, which respectively operate through slots oropenings b in the base B, and between the front face of the base orbacking and the rear side of the rings orsections coiled springs E aremounted upon pact in the operation of the sections G and also serve toreturn the latter to normal projecting position.

The stems D are provided with limiting stops or shoulders 01 at theirinner ends in rear of the base or backing B.

The sections C are preferably provided with four or more carrying-stemsD, arranged equidistant, as shown in Fig. 4, so that the operation of atleast one of the stems will be insured when the target-section 0receives the impact of the shot at one side or at any point.

Upon the rear side of the base or backboard B are arranged a series ofcontactplates F, one contact being provided for each stem D and all thecontacts being relatively connected by wires and comprised in anelectric circuit.

An independent line-wire G connects each set of contact-plates Fcomprised in the series of four or more arranged with respect to thesetof stems of each independent targetsection C, as shown in Fig. 4:, andextends to a binding-post H upon the base or backboard B.

Preferably the separate independently-0perating rings or sections C ofthe spring-controlled target-face may be further divided intoindependently-operating segmental sections, or any other desireddivision of the target-face into independently-operating sections ormembers may be made, the same general relative arrangement of the stemsand their respective contact-plate and independcut line-wires foreachindependently-operating section being observed.

The automatic electrically-operated indicating mechanism may be arrangedat any desired point away from the target -for instance, at the point atwhich the marksman is stationed-and the line-wires G extend from thebinding-posts H at the target proper to respective binding-posts I uponthe indicating mechanism.

The indicating mechanism preferably com prises a casing K, having aconvergent bottom 75, provided with a central orifice or opening it,below which is formed an inclined guide-channel k extending to a troughor receptacle it at the outside of the'casing. Within the casing, at asuitable point above the convergent bottom la, is supported a base orbottom L, carrying a series of magnets M,

connected to the independent line-wires G,

extending from the binding-posts I, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Centrallyfrom the base L rises a reservoir N, divided by vertical partitions ninto a series of independent compartments 0, one compartment being provided foreach independent operating-section of the target-face. From thebottom of each compartment 0 extends aguide-channe1 0, leading to alaterally-projeetin g inclined tube P, beneath the outer end of which isprovided an opening! in the base L, through which indicating-balls maydrop into the convergent bottom 76 and from thence pass into the outsidetrough or receptacle 70 At each projecting tube P, which are arrangedover the respective magnets M, I provide a hinged or I pivoted armatureQ. These armatures are normally withheld from contact with theirrespective magnets M by means of a suitablyarranged spring. Thearmatures preferably comprise side arms q q, hinged or pivotally mountedat their inner ends and connected by cross'pieces g and g respectivelyarranged above and below the projecting tube P, the top cross-piece gbeinga short distance in rear of the frontbottom cross-piece (f. Thecross-pieces g and g respectively carry fingers q? and g which projectinwardly through slots p in the tubes P. In this relative constructionand arrangement the armature forms a valve in the tube P, the automaticfeed of the indicating-balls being such that one ball will normally restin the space in the tube P between the front bottom valve-finger (1which is then inprojeeting position, and the rear top valve-finger g,which is then in raised position. Thus when the magnet is energized andthe armature drawn downwardly the front bottom valve-finger g iswithdrawn from the tube P and said indicating-ball is permitted to dropthrough the opening Z to the convergent bottom and passes to the troughor receptacle k while at the same time the rear top valve-finger g iscarried into the tube P and prevents further egress of theindicating-balls during their downward gravity feed. Vhen the magnetreturns to normal position, the first ball in the tube P will bereleased by the upward movement of the valve-finger g and will then restin position against the front bottom valvefinger g ready for the nextoperation of the armature.

The easin g K is preferably provided with a top S, in which are formedopenings 8, through which the in dicating-balls may be fed to theirrespective compartments 0.

For convenience in indicating the different independently-operatingmembers and magnets I have numbered the independently-op crating annulartarget-sections O, as shown in the drawings, with the numerals 1 to 5,inelusive.

The respective sets of contact plates F are likewise correspondinglynumbered, as are the five independent line-wires G, the five independentmagnets M, the five separate conipartments O, and the five distinct setsof indicating-balls R.

The main wires forming the electrical circuit are numbered 6 forpurposes of conveniencein following their connections.

The operation and advantages of my in vention will be readilyunderstood.

When the shot strikes a section of the target face for instance, thesection numbered 2-the latter is forced rearwardly,,so that one or moreof its projecting stems D contacts with one or more of thecontact-plates F comprised in the series numbered 2. This throws theseries 2 into circuit, so that the current through the wire number 2energizes the magnet numbered 2, and the armature of the latter isoperated to permit one of the balls numbered 2 to drop and pass into thereceptacle 70 The score upon the target is thus instantly indicated atany desired point or at any distance separatedfrom the target proper.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an improved target, a series of independently-operating segmentalsections collectively forming the target-face and respectively comprisedin an electric circuit, said sections being adapted to be operated bythe impact of the ball to close said circuit and each section having anannular concave groove in the face thereof, in combination withregistering means or devices operated by said electric circuit,substantially as shown and described.

2. An improved target, comprising independently operating" sectionscollectively forming the face of the target and respectively comprisedin electric circuit, said sections being adapted to be operated by theimpact of the ball to close the circuit, contact devices between theindependently-operating target-sections and the line-wires of theirrespective circuits, and indicating mechanism embodying magnets andarmatures comprisedin said respective circuits and a series ofindependent compartments containing indicating balls or devices, thearmatures carrying valves operating to release said indicatingballs whenthe armature is actuated, substantially as set forth.

3. In an electric target mechanism, the indicating mechanism, comprisingatube through which anindicating ball or device is adapted to pass, incombination with a pivoted or hinged armature, mounted with relation tosaid tube and carrying the top and bottom valve-fingers operating withinthe tube and arranged one in rear of the other, and an ac tuating-magnetcomprised in an electric circuit, substantially as and for the purposeset forth.

4. In an electric target mechanism,the informing the face of the target,the face of each section having an annular concave groove therein andeach section being in independent electrical connection with indicatingmechanism, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed myname, in presence of two witnesses, this 11th day of March,

' THOMAS WRENCH.

Witnesses:

RIALTO O. ARNOLD, WILLIAM H. SMITH.

